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Grade 4

4.22.C: Oral and Written Conventions - Spelling

4.22.C Spell Commonly Used Homophones

Kelsey wrote the following story about a recent experience. Read Kelsey’s story and look for any corrections she should make. When you finish reading, answer the questions that follow.

Kitchen Lessons

(1) It was Mom’s birthday, and my sister Chloe and I wanted to do something special. (2) We decided to bake homemade cookies for her.

(3) First we took turns measuring and pouring the ingredients into a large mixing bowl. (4) When it was time to add the sugar, I grabed a canister that was full of something white. (5) It wasn’t labeled, but I was sure it was sugar.

(6) In just a few minutes, the bowl was full of what looked like mouthwatering cookie dough. (7) We didn’t taste it because we wanted to have plenty of cookies for Mom. (8) It would have been better if we had taken just one little bite. (9) Instead, we shaped the dough into little balls, arranged them on a pan, and slid the pan into the oven.(10) As the cookies baked, a wonderful smell filled the air. (11) “Ding!” the kitchen timer chimed, and the cookies were done.

(12) We slid several piping-hot cookies onto a plate. (13) Grinning from ear to ear, we brought are gift to Mom. (14) Her face lit up when she saw the treats we had made. (15) But when she took the first bite, her face wrinkled in disgust. (16) I wondered what was wrong with our birthday surprise.

(17) I snatched a cookie off the plate and took a bite. (18) Yuck! (19) The cookie wasn’t sweet! (20) It was awful. (21) Instantly I knew what had happened. (22) Instead of sugar, I had used salt! (23) Although the homemade cookies looked delicious, they tasted horrible! (24) Mom, Chloe, and me all looked at one another.(25) Then we started laughing uncontrollably. (26) Mom laughed so hard that tears rolled down her cheeks.

(27) I learned a couple of things that day. (28) First, if your going to cook, you need to pay attention to the ingredients. (29) And to be on the safe side, it’s a good idea to take a taste or two along the way. (30) This can save you a lot of embarrassment later. (31) But more important than what I learned about cooking was the lesson I learned about giving. (32) Sometimes it really is the thought that counts. (33) Mom’s birthday present didn’t turn out as we had planned but she knew that we loved her. (34) And that’s what really matters.(35) Besides, I don’t think we would have laughed nearly as hard.(36) If our cookies had been just perfect.

Samantha imagines that her pets talk to one another the way humans do. This gave her an idea for a story. Read the story Samantha wrote and look for any corrections she needs to make. Then answer the questions that follow.

Oliver’s First Night

(1) Oliver had been in the animal shelter for two long weeks. (2) Other dogs had come and gone, but Oliver had never been chosen by a family. (3) Then one day it happened. (4) A mom, a dad, and a little girl named Lauren pointed at him. (5) They took Oliver out of his pen and put him in there car. (6) Oliver was finally on his way to a place he could call home!

(7) All that day Oliver played with his new family. (8) He wrestled with toys, nipped at ankles, and chased balls. (9) Oliver was happier than he had ever been.

(10) Then night fell. (11) While the people went upstairs. (12) Oliver was left to sleep downstairs in the basement. (13) Oliver was scared! (14) Where was his family? (15) He didn’t want to be by himself.

(16) “I can’t sleep alone,” he thought. (17) He howled a long, loud cry. (18) That was when Oliver learned that he wasn’t alone after all.

(19) “What’s the problem, buddy?” someone asked in a raspy voice.

(20)   Olivers ears stood up on his head. (21) He growled, trying to sound tough. (22) He looked across the room and saw a big glass box with a light inside it. (23) There was water in the box, too. (24) Three small things seemed to be gesturing to him from the box! (25) They weren’t people, but they weren’t dogs either.

(26) Oliver’s loneliness was replaced by curiosity. (27) “What are you?” he asked.

(28) “We’re pets!” replied a creature with long legs and a lanky body. (29) “I happen to be a shrimp.”

(30) “I’m a clown fish,” a striped orange-and-white thing said with a giggle.”

(31) “And I’m a piece of coral,” sang something that looked like a colorful rock with many arms.

(32) The three began to play. (33) The shrimp swam after the clown fish, the coral cheered, waving its arms wildly. (34) The shrimp tagged the fish and turned back to Oliver. (35) “What do they call you?” he asked.

(36) “Oliver,” barked the pup.

(37) “Oliver, you look like you need some bedtime friends,” said the clown fish.

(38) “That’s us!” the coral chimed in.

(39) Oliver wagged his tail in delight. (40) Suddenly sleepy, he rested his nose on his paws. (41) Then he glansed again at his new friends and let out a contented sigh. (42) “Thank you,” he mumbled softly.

(43) That night, and every night after that, Oliver snoozed in the glow of the fish tank. (44) He no longer felt lonely. (45) Mom, Dad, and Lauren was upstairs. (46) They would be back in the morning.(47) But for now he had a talkative shrimp, a funny clown fish, and a pretty coral to keep him company. (48) Oliver had found two new families, one for day and another for night.

Tyler loves his cat and wants to convince others that cats make better pets than dogs. He has written this paper to share his thoughts. Read Tyler’s paper and look for the corrections he should make. Then answer the questions that follow.

Cats Are Better

(1) Everyone says that dogs are man’s best friends. (2) You don’t have to look hard to find a story about a dog that has saved someone’s life. (3) Now don’t get me wrong. (4) I like dogs. (5) I just think they get a little too much atention. (6) In my opinion cats are just as wonderful as dogs. (7) In fact, in some ways I think they are even better.

(8) First of all, cats are much easier to take care of than dogs. (9) Dogs that live inside have to be taken out a few times a day.(10)   This means that their owners have to come home throughout the day. (11) My cat, on the other hand, is quite comfortable staying inside, and using her litter box. (12) Dogs also have to be bathed, but cats keep themselves clean. (13) Most dogs have to be fed on a regular schedule. (14) However, we put food in my cat’s bowl, she eats whenever she’s hungry. (15) There’s also no barking with a cat. (16) A cat is quiet and polite. (17) And you won’t never see a cat tip over a trash can and shred its contents. (18) Cats just don’t get into the same mischief that dogs do. (19) Most cats are perfectly happy playing with  a plastic bottle cap or a crumpled sheet of paper.

(20) Second, a cat can be a loyal and helpful friend. (21) If you look past all the dog hero stories, you will find a lot of cat heroes, too.(22) For example, Cathy Keesling’s cat Winnie jumped onto her bed one night and started meowing loudly. (23) At first Keesling was annoyed, but she soon realized that she felt sick and couldn’t wake up her husband. (24) She dialed 911, and paramedics rushed to the house.(25) They discovered that it was filled with carbon monoxide, a dangerous gas. (26) The family was treated and soon recovered, thanks to the warning from their cat. (27) Cats have also been known to warn residents of house fires, fight off attackers, and protect their owners from deadly snakes. (28) One cat in Columbus, Ohio, actually dialed 911 when its owner fell out of his wheelchair. (29) Over and over, cats have come to the aid of their owners. (30) And proved that they are heroic, loyal companions.

(31) So the next time you hear someone listing the reasons that dogs are better than cats, remember that having a cat for a pet has it’s advantages. (32) They are easy to take care of, and they can be  helpful and loving. (33) In my opinion, cats are truly man’s best friends.

Jason wrote this paper to share an idea he has for an addition to his school’s playground. Read Jason’s paper and look for any corrections he should make. Then answer the questions that follow.

We Need a Rock-Climbing Wall

(1) Ask any kid what the best part of the school day is, and he or she will probably choose recess. (2) I look forward to the recess bell like everyone else, but every time I go outside, I think about how recess could be even better. (3) I’ve done some research on school playgrounds, and I believe I have come up with a great idea for improving ours.(4) We should add a rock-climbing wall.

(5) With its swings, slides, and climbing gyms, our playground is great for younger kids. (6) But there really isn’t much for us older kids to do. (7) Some of my friends play soccer or football on the field, but these unorganized games usually consist of one or two kids hogging the ball and everyone else just running around chassing them. (8) Other boy’s and girl’s are so eager for a challenge that they end up breaking rules by climbing on restricted parts of the jungle gyms, such as the roofs and slide covers. (9) A rock-climbing wall would give older students something fun to do. (10) It would provide a safe climbing challenge, and students wouldn’t have to worry about breaking the rules.

(11) Furthermore, rock climbing is a great workout. (12) It improves muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility. (13) If we had a rock-climbing wall on our playground. (14) It could also be used for PE classes. (15) Teachers could help students set fitness goals and reach new levels of physical endurance. (16) Climbing experts say that the sport also helps kids develop focus and concentration. (17) These are two qualities that are essential to success in school. (18) Clearly, a rock-climbing wall on the playground would benefit students both physically and academically.

(19) Some people might argue that a rock-climbing wall is dangerous and that it would require to much adult supervision. (20) However, students could be taught safety rules for climbing just like the ones they are taught for other playground equipment. (21) Teachers could be assigned to the wall during recess to make sure that students are using it correctly and safely. (22) As an added safety measure, pads could be placed on the ground below the wall. (23) With proper instruction and supervision, the fourth and fifth graders at our school would really benefit from the addition of a rock-climbing wall to our playground. (24) And recess would be something we can all look forward to.

Cassie’s teacher asked her to write a story from the perspective of an animal. Read Cassie’s story and look for any corrections she should make. Then answer the questions that follow.

A Day in the Life of an Ant

(1) “Everything seems so big and bright out here!” I exclaimed. (2) It was my first day out of the dark, warm surroundings of the ant nursery, and as I looked around, I was amazed. (3) There were bushes, trees, and flowers in every direction. (4) I was thrilled to be out in the world and especially excited to be a worker ant. (5) I would be making an important contribution to my colony. (6) Suddenly I felt a jolt as the ant behind me crashed into my back.

(7) “Move,” she said. (8) “Your holding up the line.”

(9) “Sorry,” I apologized. (10) “I can’t stop looking at all the beauty around me.” 

(11) “Just get out of the way!” she yelled.

(12) My antennas shook with embarrassment as I quickly ran along the path. (13) I soon caught up to the ant in front of me. (14) The cracks in the ground didn’t slow me down at all. (15) My six legs and clawed feet gave me great balanse. (16) I felt as though I could do anything. (17) And was even thinking about running up the next stalk of grass.

(18) “Keep moving,” griped the angry ant behind me.

(19)   “Sorry,” I apologized again.

(20) “What’s the problem here?” grumbled another ant. (21) I turned my head to see one of the biggest, meanest-looking ants I had ever saw. (22) She had long legs and a pair of large, jagged jaws.(23) I assumed she was one of the soldier ants that my nursemaid ant had warned me about. (24) The soldier ant scolded, “the queen and our baby sisters are counting on you to bring back food, so there’s no time for messing around! (25) You two get moving, or you’ll have to answer to me!” (26) The other worker ant gave me a look that made all six of my legs shake with fear.

(27) “Yes, ma’am!” we called out at the same time. (28) We lowered our heads and sped down the path. (29) I decided right then that I needed to keep my mind on my work. (30) If I kept making mistakes, I would probably be yelled at again by one of the soldier ants. (31) The image of those powerful jaws made me shiver. (32) Most importantly, the thought of letting down the queen and our little sisters was too much to bear. (33) From now on I would keep my eyes on the trail and my thoughts to myself. (34) I would try my hardest to gather plenty of food, I wanted to become the very best worker ant our colony has ever had!

Katrina wrote the following paper about three inspiring young people. Read Katrina’s paper and look for any corrections she should make. When you finish reading, answer the questions that follow.

Kids CAN Make a Difference

(1) Some kids think that they’re too young to do anything really important, but that isn’t true. (2) There are a lot of kids today who are making a big difference in the world. (3) All it takes is a good idea, a caring heart, and a determined spirit.

(4) When Abigail Lupi, of Stockholm, New Jersey, was just seven years old, she wanted to do something special for her great-grandmothers 100th birthday. (5) She learned a few songs and performed them at the assisted-living center where her great-grandmother lived. (6) While she was there, she noticed that some of the elderly residents seemed lonely.(7) Abigail enlisted the help of some friends and formed CareGirlz.(8) Today the members of CareGirlz, who range in age from 6 to 13, sing and dance at assisted-living centers, nursing homes, and children’s hospitals. (9) The group has performed in more than 20 different locations, bringing joy to hundreds of people. (10) I like to brighten up people’s days and help them have a fun time,” says Abigail. (11) “It makes me happy to see that I’m making others happy.”

(12) After a terrible earthquake shook Haiti in 2010, 12-year-old Blare Gooch, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, wanted to do something to help. (13) He saw children on television who had lost everything, and it made him sad. (14) That’s when he remembered how attached he had been to his favorite teddy bear. (15) His school let him make an announcement asking kids to donate teddy bears for children in Haiti. (16) The local media found out about Blare’s plan, and soon many people were donating teddy bears. (17) All the attention prompted Blare to create an organization. (18) Called Blare’s Bears for Haiti. (19) The organization collected and donated about 25,000 bears! (20) Blare wants other kids to know that they, too, can make a difference. (21) “It doesn’t really matter how small or old you are,” he insists. (22) “If your young and think you can’t make a big difference in the world, well, you actually can.” 

(23) Charlie Coons, who lives in Simi Valley, California, is another example of a kid who made a difference. (24) One year her older brother volunteered at an orphanage in Egypt. (25) When he returned home, he told 11-year-old Charlie that the children at the orphanage were very cold at night. (26) Charlie couldn’t bear the thought of other kids suffering. (27) With the help of some friends, she made several fleece blankets to send to the orphans. (28) But Charlie wanted to do more. (29) She began speaking to various community groups to raise money for a new organization, HELP, which stands for Hope, Encouragement, Love, and Peace. (30) HELP has now sended approximately 700 blankets to children in the Middle East, Africa, and Central America. (31) Charlie is excited about helping even more children. (32) “My goal is to touch as many  lives as I can,” she explains. (33) “I think this is something I will do for the rest of my life. (34) It doesn’t pay anything in dollars, but there is no price tag on making a difference in a child’s life.” 

(35) Each of these young people saw a need, and instead of waiting for an adult to address it, they jumped in and filled the need themselfs. (36) Their stories show that kids really can make a difference in the world.

Natalie wrote the following story about a turtle returning home. Read Natalie’s story and look for the corrections she should make. Then answer the questions that follow.

Home

(1) The waves pounded the sandy beach, and the moon shone down brightly. (2) Zoey the sea turtle lumbered forward, not quiet used to the heavy weight of her shell out of the water. (3) She knew it was almost time to lay her eggs, and they needed to be on land so they could mature and hatch. (4) Something inside Zoey had drawn her to this beach. (5) Although she didn’t yet understand why, she knew this was where she needed to be.

(6) As Zoey draged herself up the shore and away from the ocean, she felt the dry and grainy sand on her flippers. (7) The sharp tang of the sea air and the smell of the grasses on the shore began to bring back some memories. (8) Suddenly she remembered. (9) Zoey had been to this very place many years before.

(10) Zoey had been much smaller then, only about two inches long.  (11) On a warm night a lot like this one, she had poked her foot out of   an egg and then pushed the rest of her body threw the shell onto the sand. (12) Looking around, she noticed hundreds of other turtle hatchlings crowded on the beach. (13) Each had the same goal—to get to the water!

(14) Zoey joined the mass movement toward the waves. (15) Upon reaching the water, she splashes furiously. (16) The splashing of all the tiny turtle flippers made the water look like it was bubbling.(17) It took a very long time, but Zoey, along with many of her fellow hatchlings, finally made it out to sea.

(18) Zoey spent the next sevaral years far out in the ocean waters. (19) She grew and grew. (20) Then one day she started swimming in a new direction, not really knowing why. (21) The journey finally ended on this fine May evening. (22) And now Zoey understood. (23) She had been making her way back home.

(24) Zoey found a dry spot on the beach and began her work.(25) She used her strong flippers to fling sand to the side and make a pit under her body. (26) Inside the pit she used her back flippers to carve out a hole. (27) When Zoeys nest was complete, she laid her eggs. (28) Then she carefully covered the nest with sand and began the slow crawl back to the sea. (29) Zoey took one last look at the sandy mound, then the waves carried her away again. (30) It was time for a new generation to begin.

Measures 1 skill from
Grade 4
ELAR (2009)
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

Our brand new solo games combine with your quiz, on the same screen

Measures 1 skill fromGrade 4ELAR (2009)Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

Our brand new solo games combine with your quiz, on the same screen

Measures 1 skill from
Grade 4
ELAR (2009)
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)